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Food Science and Technology at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $49,303/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 9.1x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #14 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Food Science and Technology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$606K	$599K	$551K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.2x	9.1x	8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.1x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	59	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,952

Out-of-state: $145,608 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,556

-4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,887

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,228

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,303 track close to the $49,845 national median for Food Science and Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 9.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Food Science and Technology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,887 in median debt against $49,303 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #14 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 42% earnings increase from $49,303 to $70,228 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 30,469 students enrolled in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?

At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Food Science and Technology is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →